The Distance Between Faith and Faithfulness

In recovery there is an extremely important issue raised. A step speaks to "taking fearless moral inventory" as a regular habit. I would bet such is more rare among professing Christians than some might think. Begin with considering yourself and how often you do so and you'll benefit.

How often is there is a gap between our saving faith in Jesus and our walking it out in faithfulness? Faithful thinking, speaking, living from the heart and not mere lip-service isn't as automatic as some seem to think -is it?

It's like believing the moment one is married that adultery, lust in one's mind, with our eyes, (God forbid, relationships) all just completely disappear and we are never tempted again. Scripture tells us after the intense temptation in the wilderness the devil departed Jesus "until an opportune time". Believers must take care against "magic thinking" regarding temptations and the very real spiritual battles we face while on earth.

Mind you, I'm not talking about "lordship salvation" where we are told we must earn/work/deserve by our actions the mercy, forgiveness and eternal life Jesus brought us via the cross and resurrection. Yet I am indeed saying with James, "faith without works is dead" and unless genuine fruit springs up in our relationship with Jesus and others it's all about information in the head lacking heart and true faithfulness.

I've preached this for many years as it is the essential link far too many in the churches have not dealt with -and many have left the church along with even denying Jesus and leaving the Good News in the "rear view mirror" due to us saying one thing and doing something else.

God help us close the gap!!

As always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn